Ron's Service

My Uncle Ron passed away on the 14th--his funeral was Monday. As we arrived at the church where the funeral services were to be held, we were all getting a little bit testy--I was called a few choice names about three times before the hour drive was over, for example. Ouch. I think we were all a little more stressed over what was coming than any of us dare share.

I walked into the church and immediately ran into my cousin, Mike--Ron's son. We haven't seen each other in a while. He immediately pulled a picture out of his pocket and handed it to me... I took one look at it and began to bawl like a baby. Ron was very special to me--he played a very important role in my life. Between Ron and my Uncle Darrell I had a father growing up. These two men made my life livable as a child. They provided for me, cared for me, helped my mom out with me in the areas my dad simply was not there. I will miss him greatly.

My family has a myriad of opinions when it comes to God and religion. I've always been pretty alone and isolated in the evangelical Christian camp--my family starts to foam at the mouth and all but scream when the words "southern baptist" are uttered. (slight exaggeration, but the gist is there... they are not a fan).

The funeral was at a non-denominational Bible church. I didn't have high hopes for anything great from the funeral insofar as the gospel being proclaimed or anything to that nature. I was incredibly WRONG. They started out with a guy singing, "Mighty to Save" which I sang right along with him (more like whispered along with him… my voice isn't so strong right now!). Two people stood up and gave very eloquent and sweet memories of my uncle--a former coworker and the wife of the man who introduced my uncle to Carol, my aunt. The preacher stood back up at the end and read a note from Carol to Ron, and then one from Mike to Ron. It was from Mike's message the sermon was based. In this sermon it started to sound like the typical promise of the recently departed being in the presence of Jesus without any proof to support it. Then, to my utter shock, the proof was given--the man actually confirmed my uncle had placed his faith in Jesus Christ, and based upon that profession of faith, was in the presence of God, in heaven. My tears changed at that point--from grief to shock, and as the preacher continued to speak, to absolute relief and praise. Could it really be true? Could my uncle truly be a believer in the same Lord and Savior I worship? The gospel was explained, clearly, to all who were listening. There was everything minus an altar call.

After the service the church had prepared a lunch for the family and close friends. It was nice to sit and catch up with everyone. I've missed these people. After everything was over and done a few of us went out to Mike and Lynette's house. Lynette had this sheet hanging on her fridge--I don't remember it clearly, but the name "Beth Moore" stood out loud and clear. I was reading through it when Mike walked by me--I pointed at the sheet and nonchalantly said, "Mike, I think we may have something in common here." He looked at the sheet, looked at me, and said, "Really?" I've not seen him grin like that in a long time. We stood there and talked, and it was made very clear that both Mike and Lynette have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Mike confirmed what I already suspected (yet it still put me in tears to hear it again): Ron had a relationship with Christ. At one point Mike asked him, "Dad, who's your Savior?" to which Ron solidly replied, "Jesus Christ!". It was hard to not openly bawl AGAIN over hearing this news.

At the end of the service we sang a song that is most precious to me: Amazing Grace. It took on a new flavor of sweetness as we sang it this time:
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound<
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind, but now, I see...

scats-iated...

I have had a lot of time to think lately... losing your voice gives you nothing but time to think when you can't talk!! I've been thinking a lot in general as of late. I do think that too much thinking can be hazardous to your health... as one blog writer put it, it can lead to morbidity. I have pondered upon that phrase... wondering why self-introspection and reflection can lead to such a state, so easily, and so often. I've been challenged a lot lately, not about thinking too much (in fact, encouraged to think more, even!), but rather about how I think. I never realized how much I think about myself, what I want, what I think, how things will impact me, what it has to do with me... me me me me me.... yuk yuk yuk yuk yuk!! how self-centered!!! I'm thankful for the second (and sometimes third, and fourth, and fifth, and... yeah, you get the picture) chances to make things better and align my life with God's standards. Well, at least try... this side of heaven, I'm pretty sure I'll consistently fail, but at least that means I always have a goal toward which to aspire! Yet, I still have this huge mountain to climb... at least I'm not climbing all on my own...

Rom 8:31 NASB - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?